REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

In introducing the text of the draft resolution (A/C.2/49/L.48) on 29
November 1994, Algeria, on behalf of the G-77 and China, commented that
it contained a long preamble recalling the decisions leading to the ICPD.
The resolution was then divided into two sections: one on national,
regional and international implementation of the Programme of Action;
and one on institutional follow-up to the Conference. He drew particular
attention to the operative paragraphs that would strengthen the
Population Commission and change its name and mandate to include both
population and development, and request ECOSOC to consider
establishing a separate Executive Board for UNFPA.

During the informal consultations on this resolution, under Vice-Chair
Arjan Hamburger (Netherlands), a number of delegates pointed out that
the resolution needed to include reference to the integrated approach
taken during the ICPD, which recognizes the interrelationship among
population, sustained economic growth and sustainable development.
Other issues that delegates thought should be mentioned include:
relationship of the ICPD to other upcoming international conferences
(Social Summit, Women"s Conference and Habitat II); the importance of
South-South cooperation in the implementation of the Programme of
Action; and temporary assistance for countries with economies in
transition. Delegates also discussed the establishment of a separate
Executive Board for UNFPA and the expansion of the mandate of the
Population Commission as well as the frequency of its meetings and the
number of members.

As a result of these informal consultations on A/C.2/49/L.48, delegates
reached agreement on a revised draft resolution, which was submitted
by the Vice-Chair for adoption by the Second Committee on 13 December
1994. The Second Committee adopted this resolution (A/C.2/49/L.67) by
consensus and sent it to the General Assembly Plenary for formal
adoption.

After a lengthy preambular section that recalls the resolutions leading
up to the ICPD and notes the importance of the outcome of the
Conference, the resolution endorses the ICPD Programme of Action. With
regard to national implementation, the resolution calls on all governments
to commit themselves at the highest possible level to achieving the goals
of the Programme of Action and make additional contributions for
implementation. Governments, NGOs and the UN system are called on to
give the widest possible dissemination to the Programme of Action. At
the subregional and regional levels, relevant organizations, commissions
and development banks are invited to examine the results of the
Conference within their specific mandates. At the international level, the
international community is called upon to provide, both bilaterally and
multilaterally, adequate and substantial international support and
assistance for population and development activities. The resolution also
emphasizes the need to maintain and enhance partnerships with NGOs
and South-South cooperation.

A number of paragraphs in the resolution address financial resources.
Paragraph 13 calls on the developed countries to complement the
national financial efforts of developing countries on population and
development and intensify their efforts to transfer new and additional
resources to developing countries, in accordance with the Programme of
Action. Paragraph 14 calls for temporary population and development
assistance to countries with economies in transition. Paragraph 15 calls
for the early identification and allocation of financial resources and
paragraph 16 calls for exchange of information between the various
bodies of the UN system and the international financial institutions to
maximize the availability of resources and their most effective utilization.
Paragraph 17 invites the Secretary-General to ensure that adequate
resources are provided for Conference follow-up activities by the UN
Secretariat in 1995 and paragraph 18 requests the Secretary-General to
prepare periodic reports for ECOSOC on the flow of financial resources
for assisting implementation of the Programme of Action.

On the institutional side, the resolution outlines a three-tiered
intergovernmental mechanism that will play the primary role in the
follow-up of the implementation of the Programme of Action: the General
Assembly will organize a regular review of implementation; ECOSOC will
provide system-wide coordination and guidance in monitoring
implementation; and the revitalized Population Commission will monitor,
review and assess the implementation at the national, regional and
international levels and advise ECOSOC thereon.

The Population Commission will be renamed the Commission on Population
and Development and will meet on an annual basis beginning in 1996. At
its substantive session in 1995, ECOSOC should: review the Commission"s
terms of reference and mandate to bring these fully into line with this
resolution; consider the composition of the Commission; consider the
establishment of a separate executive board for UNFPA; consider
recommendations on secretariat support and coordination arrangements
for the UN system; and consider recommendations on inter-agency
coordination and reporting procedures

Finally, the governing body of the UN Population Fund is invited to
oversee the response of the Fund to the needs of countries in
strengthening population and development programmes. The programmes
of the UN system and regional commissions and funds are called upon to
provide their full support to implementation of the Programme of Action
at the field level.